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SOCHI, RUSSIA - Nicklas Backstrom was a late scratch for Sweden in the Olympic gold medal hockey game against Canada.

Early reports said he was suffering from a migraine headache. Subsequent reports said he had been suspended for testing positive for a banned substance.

Backstrom, who had been the Swedes’ No. 2 centre in the absence of Henrik Zetterberg and Henrik Sedin, had four assists in the first five games of the tournament.

With Zetterberg out of the Olympics with a herniated disk in his back, Sweden did not have an extra forward it could dress.

Defenceman Henrik Tallinder took Backstrom’s place in the lineup.

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Backstrom was not on the ice for pre-game warm-ups but was listed on the official lineup sheet.

Canada did not have any roster surprises. Injured forward John Tavares and healthy defenceman P.K. Subban were scratched.

Carey Price starts for Canada against Henrik Lundqvist for Sweden.

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